Ammonium alkylphosphate containing intermediate transfer members

ABSTRACT

An intermediate transfer member that includes a mixture of a polyamideimide, an ammonium alkylphosphate, an optional polysiloxane, and an optional conductive filler.

This disclosure is generally directed to ammonium alkylphosphatecontaining intermediate transfer members, and to an intermediatetransfer member that includes a mixture of a polyamideimide, an ammoniumalkylphosphate, an optional polysiloxane, and an optional conductivecomponent.

BACKGROUND

Intermediate transfer members, such as intermediate transfer beltsselected for receiving and then transferring a developed image inxerographic systems, are known. For example, there are knownintermediate transfer members that include thermosetting polymers suchas polyimides. Intermediate transfer members made of thermosettingpolyimides are particularly selected for use in high end xerographicmachines and printers that generate at least 30 pages per minute, and upto 100 pages per minute or more. Thermosetting polyimides are primarilyselected because of their acceptable modulus of about 3,500 MegaPascals. However, intermediate transfer members using these materialsare uneconomical in that both the raw material cost and themanufacturing process cost are higher than when using a number of otherknown materials.

A disadvantage relating to the preparation of an intermediate transfermember is that there is usually deposited a separate release layer on ametal substrate. Thereafter, there is applied to the release layer theintermediate transfer member components, and where the release layerallows the components to be separated from the member by peeling or bythe use of mechanical devices. The intermediate transfer member can bein the form of a film, which can be selected for xerographic imagingsystems, or the film can be deposited on a supporting substrate like apolymer layer. The use of a release layer adds to the cost and time ofpreparation, and such a layer can modify a number of the intermediatetransfer member characteristics.

Also, known are intermediate transfer members containing phosphateesters, and which members possess self release characteristics frommetal substrates. However, while initially effective, the stored coatingsolution mixtures for such members degrade gradually over short timeperiods, thereby rendering them ineffective for suitable self releasingintermediate transfer member films from metal substrates.

Thus, an economical intermediate transfer member possessing high modulusand excellent release characteristics for high end machines is desired.

There is a need for intermediate transfer members that substantiallyavoid or minimize the disadvantages of a number of known intermediatetransfer members.

Further, there is a need for intermediate transfer member coatingsolutions that retain a substantially consistent stability, and that arefree of a gradual degradation or with no or minimal degradation forextended time periods, such as from about 1 day to about 2 years.

Additionally, there is a need for intermediate transfer member materialsthat possess self release characteristics from a number of substratesthat are selected when such members are prepared.

Another need relates to intermediate transfer members that haveexcellent conductivity or resistivity, that possess a high modulus, andacceptable break strengths, and that resist curling and remain in a flatorientation.

These and other needs are achievable in embodiments with theintermediate transfer members and components thereof disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is an intermediate transfer member comprising a polyamideimidepolymer and an ammonium alkylphosphate.

Further disclosed is an intermediate transfer member comprising amixture of a polyamideimide polymer, an ammonium alkylphosphate, apolysiloxane, and an optional conductive filler component, and whereinthe ammonium alkylphosphate is represented by the followingformulas/structures

Also disclosed is an intermediate transfer member comprising a curedmixture of a polyamideimide polymer, an ammonium alkylphosphate, anoptional polysiloxane, and an optional conductive filler, and whereinthe mixture prior to curing is substantially free of degradation forextended time periods.

FIGURES

The following Figures are provided to further illustrate theintermediate transfer members disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a one layer intermediatetransfer member of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a two layer intermediatetransfer member of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a three layer intermediatetransfer member of the present disclosure.

EMBODIMENTS

There is provided herein an intermediate transfer member comprising apolyamideimide, an ammonium alkylphosphate, an optional polysiloxane,and an optional conductive component or filler. A mixture of thepolyamideimide, and an ammonium alkylphosphate, which mixture may alsocontain a polysiloxane, and a conductive filler, is stable with minimumor no degradation for up to about 2 years and enables self release fromsubstrates like metal substrates, such as stainless steel, therebyavoiding the need for a separate release layer on the substrate.

In FIG. 1, there is illustrated an intermediate transfer membercomprising a layer 2 comprised of a mixture of a polyamideimide 3, anammonium alkylphosphate 4, an optional siloxane polymer 5, and anoptional conductive component 6.

In FIG. 2, there is illustrated a two-layer intermediate transfer membercomprising a bottom layer 7 comprising a mixture of a polyamideimide 8,an ammonium alkylphosphate 9, an optional siloxane polymer 10, and anoptional conductive component 11, and an optional top or outer tonerrelease layer 13 comprising release components 14.

In FIG. 3, there is illustrated a three-layer intermediate transfermember comprising a supporting substrate 15, a layer thereover 16comprising a mixture of a polyamideimide 17, an ammonium alkylphosphate18, an optional siloxane polymer 19, and an optional conductivecomponent 21, and an optional release layer 23 comprising releasecomponents 24.

There are disclosed self-releasing intermediate transfer member stablecoating solutions with a high Young's modulus of, for example, exceedingabout 4,000 Mega Pascals (MPa), suitable resistivities, excellentcoefficient of thermal expansions of, for example, from about 20 toabout 70, from about 20 to about 50, from about 25 to about 40, or fromabout 30 to about 45 ppm/° K (parts per million per degree Kelvin), andsmooth high quality surfaces.

The intermediate transfer members disclosed herein have self-releasecharacteristics, and where the use of an external release layer presenton, for example, a stainless steel substrate is avoided; have excellentmechanical strength while permitting the rapid and complete transfer offrom about 90 to about 99 percent, or from about 95 to about 100 percenttransfer, of a xerographic developed image; possess a Young's modulusof, for example, from about 4,000 to about 7,000 Mega Pascals (MPa),from about 5,000 to about 6,500 MPa, or from about 4,800 to about 5,500MPa; have a high glass transition temperature (T_(g)) of from about 200°C. to about 400° C., or from about 275° C. to about 350° C.; a CTE(coefficient of thermal expansion) as determined by Thermo-MechanicalAnalysis of from about 20 to about 70 parts per million per degreeKelvin (ppm/° K), or from about 30 to about 60 ppm/° K; and an excellentresistivity as measured with a known High Resistivity Meter of, forexample, from about 10⁸ to about 10¹³ ohm/square, from about 10⁹ toabout 10¹³ ohm/square, from about 10⁹ to about 10¹² ohm/square, or fromabout 10¹⁰ to about 10¹² ohm/square. Furthermore, the coating solutionmixtures selected for the formation of the intermediate transfer memberfilms are stable with no changes in their properties when being storedfor up to 2 years.

Self-release characteristics without the assistance of any externalsources, such as prying devices, permit the efficient, economicalformation and full separation, from about 95 to about 100 percent, orfrom about 97 to about 99 percent, of the disclosed intermediatetransfer member films from substrates, such as steel, upon which themembers are initially prepared, and where release materials and separaterelease layers can be avoided on the metal substrates. The time periodto obtain the self-release characteristics varies depending, forexample, on the components selected for the intermediate transfermixtures disclosed. Generally, however, for the disclosed intermediatetransfer members the self-release time period is from about 1 to about60 seconds, from about 1 to about 35 seconds, from about 1 to about 10seconds, or from 1 to about 5 seconds, and in some instances less thanabout 1 second.

The intermediate transfer members of the present disclosure can beprovided in any of a variety of configurations, such as a one-layerconfiguration, or in a multi-layer configuration including, for example,a top release layer. More specifically, the disclosed intermediatetransfer member may be in the form of an endless flexible belt, a web, aflexible drum or roller, a rigid roller or cylinder, a sheet, a drelt (across between a drum and a belt), a seamless belt, that is with anabsence of any seams or visible joints in the members, and the like.

Polyamideimide Polymers

The intermediate transfer members herein comprise a polymer layercomprising a polyamideimide polymer with an ammonium alkylphosphatemixed or dispersed therein. Any suitable polyamideimide polymer can beused in embodiments, and can be used alone, in mixtures of two or more,or in a mixture with other polymeric binder materials. In embodiments,the polyamideimide polymer can be, for example, a polymer, a copolymer,a terpolymer, higher-order polymers, or the like.

Polyamideimide examples selected for the disclosed intermediate transfermember mixtures include, for example, those components like polymersrepresented by the following structures/formulas

and which components are available from Toyobo Company, Japan, where nrepresents the number of repeating segments of, for example, a number offrom about 20 to about 1,000, from about 50 to about 750, from about 125to about 500, from about 150 to about 400, from about 200 to about 600,from about 100 to about 700, from about 500 to about 700, from about 100to about 500, or from about 275 to about 400, and Ar is aryl with, forexample, from about 6 to about 36 carbon atoms, from about 6 to about 24carbon atoms, from about 6 to about 18 carbon atoms, from about 6 toabout 12 carbon atoms, or 6 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, napthyl,anthryl, or substituted derivatives thereof where the substituents arealkyl groups.

The number average molecular weight of the polyamideimide selected forthe disclosed intermediate transfer member mixtures is, for example,from about 5,000 to about 50,000, from about 10,000 to about 25,000,from about 15,000 to about 35,000, or from about 7,000 to about 20,000,with the weight average molecular weight of the polyamideimide being,for example from about 10,000 to about 200,000, from about 50,000 toabout 325,000, from about 100,000 to about 300,000, or from about 30,000to about 100,000. Both the number average and weight average molecularweights of the polyamideimide are determined by known methods, such asGPC analysis.

Specific polyamideimide examples incorporated into the disclosedmixtures can be represented by at least one of the followingformulas/structures

where n represents the number of repeating segments, and is, forexample, as illustrated herein, such as n being a number of from about20 to about 1,000, from about 100 to about 700, from about 100 to about500, or from about 275 to about 400.

In embodiments, the polyamideimides, such as those commerciallyavailable from Toyobo Company, can, it is believed, be synthesized by atleast the following two known methods: (1) the isocyanate method, whichinvolves the reaction between an isocyanate and a trimellitic anhydride;or (2) the acid chloride method, where there is reacted a diamine and atrimellitic anhydride chloride.

Polyamideimide homopolymers, polyamideimide copolymers, and their blendscan also be included in the intermediate transfer member mixturesdisclosed herein.

Commercially available or obtainable examples of polyamideimides (PAI)include VYLOMAX® HR-11NN (15 weight percent solution inN-methylpyrrolidone, T_(g) (glass transition temperature) of about 300°C., and a weight average molecular weight (M_(w)) of about 45,000),HR-12N2 (30 weight percent solution in N-methylpyrrolidone/xylene/methylethyl ketone, 50/35/15 weight ratio, T_(g) of 255° C., and M_(w) of8,000), HR-13NX (30 weight percent solution inN-methylpyrrolidone/xylene, 67/33, T_(g) of 280° C., and M_(w) of10,000), HR-15ET (25 weight percent solution in ethanol/toluene, 50/50,T_(g) of 260° C., and M_(w) of 10,000), HR-16NN (14 weight percentsolution in N-methylpyrrolidone, T_(g) of 320° C., and M_(w) of100,000), and HR-66NN (13 weight percent solution inN-methylpyrrolidone, T_(g) of 340° C.), all commercially available fromToyobo Company of Japan, and TORLON® AI-10 (T_(g) of 272° C.),commercially available from Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, Alpharetta,Ga.

The polyamideimide can be present in the disclosed mixtures, and in theintermediate transfer films formed therefrom in various effectiveamounts, such as for example, from about 50 to about 95 weight percent,from about 75 to about 90 weight percent, from about 70 to about 95weight percent, from about 70 to about 80 weight percent, from about 65to about 95 weight percent, or from about 75 to about 85 weight percent,based on the total of solids, ingredients, or components present in thecoating solution.

Ammonium Alkylphosphates

The intermediate transfer members herein also comprise an ammoniumalkylphosphate additive mixed or dispersed in the polyamideimidepolymer. A benefit of the use of an ammonium alkylphosphate, as comparedto other additives, is that the resultant mixture is stable with minimumor no degradation for up to about 2 years. That is, properties of themixture, such as dispersion stability and self-release after curing,remain the same or substantially the same at a time of up to one month,up to two months, up to one year (twelve months), or even up to twoyears after preparation, as compared to the similar propertiesimmediately upon preparation. Thus, the mixture prior to curing isstable with substantially no degradation during such storage.

The ammonium alkylphosphates, which primarily function as an internalrelease additive, included in the intermediate transfer coating solutionor mixture are available from a number of companies, such as R.T.Vanderbilt Co., Inc., Norwalk, Conn. and Rhein Chemie Corp., Trenton,N.J.

Examples of ammonium alkylphosphates selected for the intermediatetransfer member mixtures or coating solutions disclosed herein are thoseas represented by the following formulas/structures 1 or 2,

wherein R and R′ each independently represents an alkyl with, forexample, from about 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, from 1 to about 10carbon atoms, from about 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, or from 1 to about 6carbon atoms, and R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ each independentlyrepresents an alkyl with, for example, from about 1 to about 30 carbonatoms, from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, from about 8 to about 16carbon atoms, from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms, from about 10 toabout 18 carbon atoms, or from about 10 to about 15 carbon atoms, andbranched alkyls with from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, from about10 to about 25 carbon atoms, from about 10 to about 15 carbon atoms, orfrom about 15 to about 20 carbon atoms.

Examples of the ammonium alkylphosphate alkyl substituents are methyl,ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl,pentadecyl, dodecyl, and the like.

Specific examples of the ammonium alkylphosphates present in themixtures disclosed herein can be represented by one of the followingformulas/structures

and the like, and mixtures thereof.

The ammonium alkylphosphates can be present in the disclosed mixturesand in the intermediate transfer films formed in various effectiveamounts, such as for example, from about 0.05 to about 10 weightpercent, from about 0.1 to about 5 weight percent, from about 0.1 toabout 4 weight percent, from about 0.5 to about 4 weight percent, fromabout 0.1 to about 3 weight percent, from about 0.7 to about 3 weightpercent, or less than 2 weight percent, based on the total ofingredients or components present in the coating solution mixture.

Optional Polysiloxane Polymers

The disclosed intermediate transfer member mixtures can also include anoptional polysiloxane polymer. Examples of polysiloxane polymersselected for the intermediate transfer member mixture disclosed hereininclude known suitable polysiloxanes, such as a polyether modified(copolymer) polydimethylsiloxane, commercially available from BYKChemical as BYK®333, BYK®330 (about 51 weight percent inmethoxypropylacetate), and BYK®344 (about 52.3 weight percent inxylene/isobutanol, ratio of 80/20); BYK®-SILCLEAN 3710 and BYK®3720(about 25 weight percent in methoxypropanol); a polyester modifiedpolydimethylsiloxane, commercially available from BYK Chemical asBYK®310 (about 25 weight percent in xylene) and BYK®370 (about 25 weightpercent in xylene/alkylbenzene/cyclohexanone/monophenylglycol, ratio of75/11/7/7), a polyacrylate modified polydimethylsiloxane, commerciallyavailable from BYK Chemical as BYK®-SILCLEAN 3700 (about 25 weightpercent in methoxypropylacetate), a polyester polyether modified(copolymer) polydimethylsiloxane, commercially available from BYKChemical as BYK®375 (about 25 weight percent in di-propylene glycolmonomethyl ether), and the like, and mixtures thereof.

The polysiloxane polymer, or copolymers thereof can be present in thedisclosed intermediate transfer thermoplastic mixtures in variouseffective amounts, such as from about 0.01 to about 1 weight percent,from about 0.05 to about 1 weight percent, from about 0.05 to about 0.5weight percent, from about 0.1 to about 0.3 weight percent, or less thanabout 0.1 weight percent based on the total solids, and with the totalof ingredients in the mixtures being about 100 percent.

Optional Fillers

Optionally, the intermediate transfer member mixtures may contain one ormore fillers to, for example, alter and adjust the conductivity of theintermediate transfer member. When the intermediate transfer member is aone layer structure, the conductive filler can be included in themixtures disclosed herein. When the intermediate transfer member is amulti-layer structure, the conductive filler can be included in thedisclosed mixtures or one or more layers of the member like thesupporting substrate, and in both the supporting substrate and in thelayer thereover generated from the mixtures illustrated herein.

Any suitable filler can be used that provides the desired results. Forexample, suitable fillers include carbon blacks, metal oxides,polyanilines, other known fillers, and mixtures of fillers.

Examples of carbon black fillers that can be selected for theintermediate disclosed transfer member mixtures and disclosedintermediate transfer members, and where the particle sizes can bedetermined by an electron microscope and the B. E. T. surface areas canbe determined by the standard known one point nitrogen gas physisorptionmethod, include special black 4 (B.E.T. surface area=180 m²/g, DBPabsorption=1.8 ml/g, primary particle diameter=25 nanometers) availablefrom Evonik-Degussa, special black 5 (B.E.T. surface area=240 m²/g, DBPabsorption=1.41 ml/g, primary particle diameter=20 nanometers), colorblack FW1 (B.E.T. surface area=320 m²/g, DBP absorption=2.89 ml/g,primary particle diameter=13 nanometers), color black FW2 (B.E.T.surface area=460 m²/g, DBP absorption=4.82 ml/g, primary particlediameter=13 nanometers), color black FW200 (B.E.T. surface area=460m²/g, DBP absorption=4.6 ml/g, primary particle diameter=13 nanometers),all available from Evonik-Degussa; VULCAN® carbon blacks, REGAL® carbonblacks, MONARCH® carbon blacks, and BLACK PEARLS® carbon blacksavailable from Cabot Corporation. Specific examples of conductive carbonblacks are BLACK PEARLS® 1000 (B.E.T. surface area=343 m²/g, DBPabsorption=1.05 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® 880 (B.E.T. surface area=240 m²/g,DBP absorption=1.06 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® 800 (B.E.T. surface area=230m²/g, DBP absorption=0.68 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® L (B.E.T. surfacearea=138 m²/g, DBP absorption=0.61 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® 570 (B.E.T.surface area=110 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.14 ml/g), BLACK PEARLS® 170(B.E.T. surface area=35 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.22 ml/g), VULCAN® XC72(B.E.T. surface area=254 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.76 ml/g), VULCAN® XC72R(fluffy form of VULCAN® XC72), VULCAN® XC605, VULCAN® XC305, REGAL® 660(B.E.T. surface area=112 m²/g, DBP absorption=0.59 ml/g), REGAL® 400(B.E.T. surface area=96 m²/g, DBP absorption=0.69 ml/g), REGAL® 330(B.E.T. surface area=94 m²/g, DBP absorption=0.71 ml/g), MONARCH® 880(B.E.T. surface area=220 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.05 ml/g, primaryparticle diameter =16 nanometers), and MONARCH® 1000 (B.E.T. surfacearea=343 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.05 ml/g, primary particle diameter=16nanometers); and Channel carbon blacks available from Evonik-Degussa.Other known suitable carbon blacks not specifically disclosed herein maybe selected as the filler or conductive component for the intermediatetransfer mixtures and members disclosed herein.

Examples of polyaniline fillers that can be selected for incorporationinto the disclosed intermediate transfer mixtures and resulting membersthereof are PANIPOL™F, commercially available from Panipol Oy, Finland,and known lignosulfonic acid grafted polyanilines. These polyanilines,it is believed, usually have a relatively small particle size diameterof, for example, from about 0.5 to about 5 microns; from about 1.1 toabout 2.3 microns; or from about 1.5 to about 1.9 microns.

Metal oxide fillers that can be selected for the disclosed intermediatetransfer mixtures and members generated therefrom include, for example,tin oxide, antimony doped tin oxide, indium oxide, indium tin oxide,zinc oxide, and titanium oxide, and the like.

When present, the filler can be selected in an amount of, for example,from about 1 to about 60 weight percent, from about 1 to about 30 weightpercent, from about 3 to about 40 weight percent, from about 4 to about30 weight percent, from about 10 to about 30 percent, or from about 5 toabout 20 weight percent based on the total solids.

Optional Additional Polymers

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the intermediate transfermember mixture can further include an optional polymer that primarilyfunctions as a binder. Examples of suitable additional polymers includea polyamideimide, a polycarbonate, a poly(phenylene sulfide), apolyamide, a polysulfone, a polyetherimide, a polyester, apolyvinylidene fluoride, a polyethylene-co-polytetrafluoroethylene, andthe like, and mixtures thereof.

When an additional polymer is selected, it can be included in theintermediate transfer member mixture in any desirable and effectiveamounts. For example, the additional polymer can be present in an amountof from about 1 to about 75 weight percent, from about 2 to about 45, orfrom about 3 to about 15 weight percent, based on the total solids.

Optional Supporting Substrates

If desired, a supporting substrate can be included in the intermediatetransfer member, such as beneath the layer resulting from the coatingmixtures illustrated herein. The supporting substrate can be included toprovide increased rigidity or strength to the intermediate transfermember.

The disclosed polyamideimide, ammonium alkylphosphate, optional filler,and optional polymers mixtures, or the coating dispersions thereof canbe formed on any suitable supporting substrate material after beingself-released from, for example, a stainless steel substrate to form theintermediate transfer member. Exemplary supporting substrate materialsinclude polyimides, polyamideimides, polyetherimides, mixtures thereof,and the like.

More specifically, examples of the intermediate transfer membersupporting substrates are polyimides inclusive of known low temperature,and rapidly cured polyimide polymers, such as VTEC™ PI 1388, 080-051,851, 302, 203, 201, and PETI-5, all available from Richard BlaineInternational, Incorporated, Reading, Pa., polyamideimides,polyetherimides, and the like The thermosetting polyimides can be curedat temperatures of from about 180° C. to about 260° C. over a shortperiod of time, such as from about 10 to about 120 minutes, or fromabout 20 to about 60 minutes, and generally have a number averagemolecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 500,000 or from about10,000 to about 100,000, and a weight average molecular weight of fromabout 50,000 to about 5,000,000 or from about 100,000 to about1,000,000. Also, for the supporting substrate there can be selectedthermosetting polyimides that can be cured at temperatures of above 300°C., such as PYRE M.L.® RC-5019, RC-5057, RC-5069, RC-5097, RC-5053, andRK-692, all commercially available from Industrial Summit TechnologyCorporation, Parlin, N.J.; RP-46 and RP-50, both commercially availablefrom Unitech LLC, Hampton, Va.; DURIMIDE® 100, commercially availablefrom FUJIFILM Electronic Materials U.S.A., Inc., North Kingstown, R.I.;and KAPTON® HN, VN and FN, all commercially available from E.I. DuPont,Wilmington, Del.

Examples of polyamideimides that can be selected as supportingsubstrates for the intermediate transfer members disclosed herein areVYLOMAX® HR-11NN (15 weight percent solution in N-methylpyrrolidone,T_(g)=300° C., and M_(w)=45,000), HR-12N2 (30 weight percent solution inN-methylpyrrolidone/xylene/methyl ethyl ketone=50/35/15, T_(g)=255° C.,and M_(w)=8,000), HR-13NX (30 weight percent solution inN-methylpyrrolidone/xylene=67/33, T_(g)=280° C., and M_(w)=10,000),HR-15ET (25 weight percent solution in ethanol/toluene=50/50, T_(g)=260°C., and M_(w)=10,000), HR-16NN (14 weight percent solution inN-methylpyrrolidone, T_(g)=320° C., and M_(w)=100,000), all commerciallyavailable from Toyobo Company of Japan, and TORLON® AI-10 (T_(g)=272°C.), commercially available from Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC,Alpharetta, Ga.

Examples of specific polyetherimide supporting substrates that can beselected for the intermediate transfer members disclosed herein areULTEM® 1000 (T_(g)=210° C.), 1010 (T_(g)=217° C.), 1100 (T_(g)=217° C.),1285, 2100 (T_(g)=217° C.), 2200 (T_(g)=217° C.), 2210 (T_(g)=217° C.),2212 (T_(g)=217° C.), 2300 (T_(g)=217° C.), 2310 (T_(g)=217° C.), 2312(T_(g)=217° C.), 2313 (T_(g)=217° C.), 2400 (T_(g)=217° C.), 2410(T_(g)=217° C.), 3451 (T_(g)=217° C.), 3452 (T_(g)=217° C.), 4000(T_(g)=217° C.), 4001 (T_(g)=217° C.), 4002 (T_(g)=217° C.), 4211(T_(g)=217° C.), 8015, 9011 (T_(g)=217° C.), 9075, and 9076, allcommercially available from Sabic Innovative Plastics.

Once formed, the supporting substrate can have any desired and suitablethickness. For example, the supporting substrate can have a thickness offrom about 10 to about 300 microns, from about 50 to about 150 microns,or from about 75 to about 125 microns as measured by known methods, suchas an electron microscope.

Optional Release Layer

If desired, an optional release layer can be further included in thedisclosed intermediate transfer members, such as over the layer formedfrom the mixtures illustrated herein. The release layer material canassist in providing efficient toner residual cleaning, and additionaleffective developed image transfer efficiency from a photoconductor tothe intermediate transfer member.

When selected, the release layer can have any desired and suitablethickness. For example, the release layer can have a thickness of fromabout 1 to about 100 microns, about 10 to about 75 microns, or fromabout 20 to about 50 microns.

The optional release layer material can comprise TEFLON®-like materialsincluding fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer (FEP),polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyfluoroalkoxy polytetrafluoroethylene(PFA TEFLON®), and other TEFLON®-like materials; silicone materials,such as fluorosilicones, and silicone rubbers, such as Silicone Rubber552, available from Sampson Coatings, Richmond, Va., (polydimethylsiloxane/dibutyl tin diacetate, 0.45 gram DBTDA per 100 gramspolydimethyl siloxane rubber mixture, with a molecular weight M_(w) ofapproximately 3,500); and fluoroelastomers, such as those sold asVITON®, such as copolymers and terpolymers of vinylidenefluoride,hexafluoropropylene, and tetrafluoroethylene, which are knowncommercially under various designations as VITON A® , VITON E®, VITONE60C®, VITON E45®, VITON E430®, VITON B910®, VITON GH®, VITON B50®, andVITON GF®. The VITON® designation is a Trademark of E.I. DuPont deNemours, Inc. Two known fluoroelastomers selected for the release layerare comprised of (1) a class of copolymers of vinylidenefluoride,hexafluoropropylene, and tetrafluoroethylene, commercially available asVITONA®; (2) a class of terpolymers of vinylidenefluoride,hexafluoropropylene, and tetrafluoroethylene, commercially available asVITON B®; and (3) a class of tetrapolymers of vinylidenefluoride,hexafluoropropylene, tetrafluoroethylene, and a cure site monomer, suchas VITON GF®, having 35 mole percent of vinylidenefluoride, 34 molepercent of hexafluoropropylene, and 29 mole percent oftetrafluoroethylene with 2 percent cure site monomer. The cure sitemonomers can be those available from E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. suchas 4-bromoperfluorobutene-1, 1,1-dihydro-4-bromoperfluorobutene-1,3-bromoperfluoropropene-1, 1,1-dihydro-3-bromoperfluoropropene-1, or anyother suitable, known, commercially available cure site monomer.

Intermediate Transfer Member Formation

The intermediate transfer members illustrated herein can be prepared,for example, by known milling processes, and where uniform dispersionsof the disclosed intermediate transfer member mixtures can be obtained,and then coated on individual metal substrates, such as a stainlesssteel substrate or the like, using known draw bar coating or flowcoating methods. The resulting individual film or films can be dried athigh temperatures, such as by heating the films at from about 100 toabout 400° C., or from about 160 to about 300° C., for a suitable periodof time, such as from about 20 to about 240 minutes, or from about 40 toabout 180 minutes, while remaining on the substrates. After drying andcooling to room temperature, about 23 to about 25° C., the filmsobtained self release from the steel substrates without any externalassistance. The resultant intermediate transfer film product can have athickness of, for example, from about 15 to about 150 microns, fromabout 20 to about 100 microns, or from about 25 to about 80 microns.

As metal substrates selected for the deposition of the polyamideimideand alkylphosphate mixtures disclosed herein, there can be usedstainless steel, aluminum, nickel, copper, and their alloys, glassplates, and other conventional typical known materials.

Examples of solvents selected for formation of the intermediate transfermember mixtures, which solvents can be selected in an amount of, forexample, from about 60 to about 95 weight percent, or from about 70 toabout 90 weight percent of the total mixture components weight includealkylene halides, such as methylene chloride, tetrahydrofuran, toluene,monochlorobenzene, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N-dimethylformamide,N,N-dimethylacetamide, methyl ethyl ketone, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO),methyl isobutyl ketone, formamide, acetone, ethyl acetate,cyclohexanone, acetanilide, mixtures thereof, and the like. Diluents canbe mixed with the solvents selected for the intermediate transfer membermixtures. Examples of diluents added to the solvents in amounts of fromabout 1 to about 25 weight percent, and from 1 to about 10 weightpercent, based on the weight of the solvent and the diluent are knowndiluents like aromatic hydrocarbons, ethyl acetate, acetone,cyclohexanone and acetanilide.

The intermediate transfer members illustrated herein can be selected fora number of printing and copying systems, inclusive of xerographicprinting systems. For example, the disclosed intermediate transfermembers can be incorporated into a multi-imaging xerographic machinewhere each developed toner image to be transferred is formed on theimaging or photoconductive drum at an image forming station, and whereeach of these images is then developed at a developing station, andtransferred to the intermediate transfer member. The images may beformed on a photoconductor and developed sequentially, and thentransferred to the intermediate transfer member. In an alternativemethod, each image may be formed on the photoconductor or photoreceptordrum, developed, and then transferred in registration to theintermediate transfer member. In an embodiment, the multi-image systemis a color copying system, wherein each color of an image being copiedis formed on the photoreceptor drum, developed, and transferred to theintermediate transfer member.

After the toner latent image has been transferred from the photoreceptordrum to the intermediate transfer member, the intermediate transfermember may be contacted under heat and pressure with an image receivingsubstrate such as paper. The toner image on the intermediate transfermember is then transferred and fixed, in image configuration, to thesubstrate such as paper.

Specific embodiments will now be described in detail. These examples areintended to be illustrative, and are not limited to the materials,conditions, or process parameters set forth in these embodiments. Allparts are percentages by weight of total solids of all the componentsunless otherwise indicated. The viscosity values were determined by aviscometer.

EXAMPLE I

Two tenths (0.2) weight percent of the ammonium alkylphosphate asobtained from R.T. Vanderbilt Co., Inc., Norwalk, Conn. of Formula 1, asillustrated herein, and where R and R′ are methyl, and R₁, R₂, and R₃are a branched alkyl with 10 carbon atom, was mixed with 84.7 weightpercent of the polyamideimide, VYLOMAX®HR-11NN (15 weight percent solidsin N-methylpyrrolidone, polyamideimide T_(g)=300° C., with a weightaverage molecular weight, M_(w)=45,000) as obtained from the ToyoboCompany, 15 weight percent of the carbon black special carbon black SB-4(B.E.T. surface area=180 m²/g, DBP absorption=1.8 ml/g, primary particlediameter=25 nanometers) as obtained from DeGussa Chemicals, and 0.1weight percent of a copolymer of a polyester and a polysiloxanecopolymer (BYK® 310) was prepared by ball milling the resulting mixturewith 2 millimeter stainless shot in an Attritor for a period of 6 hours.

The final composition of the above PAI/carbon black/ammoniumalkylphosphate/polysiloxane copolymer weight ratio was 84.7/15/0.2/0.1.

The above resulting dispersion was then coated on a stainless steelsubstrate of a thickness of 0.5 millimeter using a known draw barcoating method and subsequently dried at 120° C. for 30 minutes, andthen dried at 160° C. for an additional 60 minutes while remaining onthe steel substrate.

The resulting dried coating self released instantly and within about 4seconds, with no outside aids or tools, from the stainless steelsubstrate. An about 100 micron thick intermediate transfer member filmthat was in a flat orientation and with no curl resulted where theweight ratio of the PAI/carbon black/ammoniumalkylphosphate/polysiloxane copolymer was 84.7/15/0.2/0.1 based on theabove initial mixture feed amounts.

The above coating dispersion was stored or aged for one month in acovered flask in a dark room with no light, without any gradualdecomposition or degradation as evidenced by the film properly curingand self releasing from the stainless steel substrate prior to formingthe intermediate transfer film. The formed intermediate transfer filmcoated from the aged coating dispersion self released in about 5 secondsfrom the substrate as effectively as that coated from the above freshcoating dispersion which released in about 4 seconds.

EXAMPLE II

An intermediate transfer member film was prepared by repeating theprocess of Example I except that the ammonium alkylphosphate selectedwas obtained from Rhein Chemie Corp., Trenton, N.J. of Formula 2 asillustrated herein, where R is propyl, and R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆are a branched alkyl with 20 carbon atoms, resulting in substantiallysimilar self-release characteristics and no gradual degradation of thecoating dispersion after being stored for one month.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

A coating composition was prepared by repeating the process of Example Iwith the exception that the ammonium alkylphosphate was not included inthe mixture, and where the weight ratio of the PAI/carbonblack/polysiloxane copolymer was 84.7/15/0.3 based on the above initialmixture feed amounts.

The obtained intermediate transfer member dispersion was coated on astainless steel substrate of a thickness of 0.5 millimeter, andsubsequently the mixture was cured by heating at 120° C. for 30 minutes,and 160° C. for 60 minutes. The resulting intermediate transfer member,about 80 microns in thickness, comprised of the above components in theratios indicated did not self release from the stainless substrate, butrather adhered to this substrate. After being immersed in water for 2months, the intermediate transfer member obtained eventually selfreleased from the substrate.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

A coating composition was prepared by repeating the process of Example Iwith the exception that the ammonium alkylphosphate was replaced withPOLYSTEP® P-34, a nonylphenol ethoxylate phosphate ester with an averagemole number of ethoxy of about 10, available from STEPAN Company,Northfield, Ill., and where the weight ratio of the PAI/carbonblack/phosphate ester/polysiloxane copolymer was 84.7/15/0.2/0.1 basedon the above initial mixture feed amounts.

The intermediate transfer film coated from the above fresh coatingdispersion self released within about 4 seconds, with no outside aids ortools, from the stainless steel substrate, and an about 100 micron thickintermediate transfer member film that was in a flat orientation andwith no curl resulted.

However, after the above fresh coating dispersion was stored or aged forone month in a covered flask in a dark room with no light, theintermediate film coated from the aged coating dispersion did not selfrelease from the substrate. The above phosphate ester release agentpresent in the mixture in addition to decomposing gradually becameineffective with aging.

MEASUREMENTS

The above intermediate transfer members (ITM) of Comparative Examples 1and 2, and Examples I and II, were measured for Young's modulus andresistivity. The measurement results are provided in the following Table1.

The Young's modulus was measured by following the known ASTM D882-97process where samples (0.5 inch×12 inch) of each intermediate transfermember were placed in the Instron Tensile Tester measurement apparatus,and then the samples were elongated at a constant pull rate untilbreaking. During this time, there was recorded the resulting load versusthe sample elongation. The Young's Modulus was calculated by taking anypoint tangential to the initial linear portion of the recorded curveresults and dividing the tensile stress by the corresponding strain. Thetensile stress was calculated by the load divided by the average crosssectional area of each of the test samples.

The surface resistivity of the above intermediate transfer members ofComparative Examples 1 and 2, and Examples I and II were measured usinga High Resistivity Meter, and the results are provided in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Surface Young's ITB Release Resistivity Modulus From Metal(ohm/sq) (MPa) Substrate Example I, Coated from 2.2 × 10¹⁰ 4,800 SelfReleased in the Fresh Dispersion 4 Seconds Example I, Coated from 2.5 ×10¹⁰ 4,800 Self Released in the 1 Month Aged 4 Seconds DispersionExample II, Coated from 4.2 × 10¹⁰ 4,700 Self Released in the FreshDispersion 4 Seconds Example II, Coated from 4.7 × 10¹⁰ 4,700 SelfReleased in the 1 Month Aged 4 Seconds Dispersion Comparative Example 13.4 × 10¹⁰ 4,600 Did Not Self Release Comparative Example 2, 4.7 × 10¹⁰4,800 Self Released in Coated from the Fresh 4 Seconds DispersionComparative Example 2, 5.1 × 10¹⁰ 4,800 Did Not Self Coated from the 1Month Release Aged Dispersion

After being released from the stainless steel substrates, the Example Iand Example II films obtained can be used as intermediate transfermembers. Also, the Example I and Example II films obtained can belaminated or deposited on respective supporting substrates of a polymerlike a polyimide.

The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended,encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements,equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments andteachings disclosed herein, including those that are presentlyunforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise fromapplicants/patentees and others. Unless specifically recited in a claim,steps or components of claims should not be implied or imported from thespecification or any other claims as to any particular order, number,position, size, shape, angle, color, or material.

What is claimed is:
 1. A xerographic intermediate transfer memberconsisting of a mixture of a polyamideimide polymer, an ammoniumalkylphosphate, an optional polysiloxane, and a conductive fillercomponent, and wherein said ammonium alkylphosphate is represented byone of the following formulas/structures

wherein R and R′ each contains from 2 to about 5 carbon atoms, and R₁,R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅ and R₆ each contains from about 10 to about 18 carbonatoms and wherein said intermediate transfer member contains thereon atoner developed image originating from a photoconductor and whichdeveloped image is transferred to an image receiving substrate.
 2. Axerographic intermediate transfer member in accordance with claim 1wherein said R₁, R₂, and R₃ are each a branched alkyl with from about 10to about 15 carbon atoms.
 3. A xerographic intermediate transfer memberin accordance with claim 1 wherein R is propyl.
 4. A xerographicintermediate transfer member in accordance with claim 1 wherein saidammonium alkylphosphate, present in an amount of from about 0.05 toabout 10 weight percent based on the total of ingredients in saidmixture being about 100 percent, is represented by one of the followingformulas/structures or a mixture thereof


5. A xerographic intermediate transfer member in accordance with claim 1wherein said ammonium alkylphosphate is present in an amount of fromabout 0.1 to about 4 weight percent based on the total of ingredients insaid mixture being about 100 percent.
 6. An intermediate transfer memberconsisting of a mixture of a polyamideimide polymer, an ammoniumalkylphosphate, a polysiloxane, and a conductive filler component andwherein said ammonium alkylphosphate is represented by one of thefollowing formulas/structures or a mixture thereof

and wherein said intermediate transfer member contains thereon a tonerdeveloped xerographic image originating from a photoconductor and whichdeveloped image is transferred to an image receiving substrate.
 7. Anintermediate transfer member in accordance with claim 6 wherein saidmixture prior to curing is substantially free of degradation forextended time periods.
 8. An intermediate transfer member in accordancewith claim 6 wherein said ammonium alkylphosphate is represented by


9. An intermediate transfer member in accordance with claim 8 whereinsaid ammonium alkylphosphate is represented by


10. A xerographic intermediate transfer member consisting of a mixtureof a polyamideimide polymer, an ammonium alkylphosphate, a polysiloxane,and a conductive filler component and wherein said ammoniumalkylphosphate is represented by one of the followingformulas/structures wherein in Formula 1 R and R′ are methyl and R₁, R₂,and R₃ are a branched alkyl with 10 carbon atoms

wherein in Formula 2 R is propyl, and R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, and R₆ are abranched alkyl with 20 carbon atoms and wherein said intermediatetransfer member contains thereon a toner developed image originatingfrom a photoconductor and which developed image is transferred to paper.